Epicurus called pleasure the greatest good; not self-indulgence or riotous living, but living a pleasant life. An annual Gallup worldwide poll is close to measuring the Epicurean idea. It is called the Gallup-Healthways Country Wellbeing index.
It is surprising to discover that, at or near the top come Panama, leader for the second year running, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, and Mexico. Switzerland was the leading European country. These countries are among the most likely in the world to report daily positive experiences such as smiling and laughing, feeling enjoyment, and feeling treated with respect each day”, says the report.
Gallup asked people in 145 countries how they felt about two aspects of each of its five elements of well-being:
Purpose: You like what you do every day. You learn or do something interesting every day.
Social: Someone in your life always encourages you to be healthy. Your friends and family give you positive energy every day.
Financial: You have enough money to do everything you want to do. In the last seven days, you have worried about money.
Community: The city or area where you live is a perfect place for you. In the last 12 months, you have received recognition for helping to improve the city or area where you live.
Physical: In the last seven days, you have felt active and productive every day. Your physical health is near-perfect.
Sub-Saharan Africa was found to be the least thriving over all. The worst was Afghanistan. However, well-being doesn’t necessarily correlate with either GDP or conflict. The U.S., not unexpectedly, fell from No. 12 to No. 23 worldwide, as corporations took greater control over the country. (this post has been adapted from a report by NPR).
What do you think the most contented countries – Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, and Mexico. Switzerland – have in common?
I have my doubts about this study. If the citizens of these central and south American countries are so happy, then why are so many of them trying to emigrate illegally to the US? These countries have some of the world’s highest murder rates, and poverty is far worse than in North America or Europe.
Switzerland is happy for the same reason as any other European welfare state: wealth, social security, and a reasonable amount of time off. But Switzerland does not have the mass unemployment of France, Spain, or the Mediterranean countries.
Personally, I believe I’m better off in the UK than in any other country, becuase British people are the world’s most likely to go to an elite university. Education is very important to me, and even though America has more elite universities, due to the higher population and extremely high tuition fees, a lower proportion of Americans actually end up going to them.
Britain also has a wealth of high culture: theatres, concerts, museums, art galleries. For most people, these may not factor in them deciding their overall well-being, but for me, they’re vital.
But the most important thing about Britain is its tolerance. Like all countries, you will find racism in Britain, but here it is far less prevalent than in most other countries. We also have gay marriage, unlike the vast majority of the world. We seem to be a country that is increasingly defined by its liberalism, particularly amongst young people. Epicurus, a man who welcomed slaves, women and foreigners into his Garden, would most certainly approve.
Excellent post! It’s nice to see such positive sentiments put forward. Yes, it’s odd that so many Latinos desperately want to get to the US if life at home is so wonderful at home. I suspect, but can’t prove, that there is a culture of being positive in the face of a miserable existence, which is quite charming, but also misleading. It may be the influence of religion? You endure because of what you are eventually promised? That’s a free pass for every crook and control freak.